Sports Fans Can Be Grammar Geeks, Too!

I constantly bemoan the deterioration of writing skills on the internet. I have resigned myself to endure quick but careless writing.

Imagine my surprised pleasure when I found grammar proponents in the unlikeliest place – the comments section of a sports blog!

Let’s face it, as adherents to good grammar, sports writers and announcers are at the back of the line. They grab every opportunity to get “creative” with English using strange words and poor sentence structure. Subject-verb agreement is taboo.

I usually avoid the rampant ignorance of any comments section on news sites. I just don’t need the aggravation caused by the assault on my writing sensibilities.

On the other hand, I have been a New York Rangers fan for more than half a century. I can’t help it; I was born that way. I follow a couple of Rangers-focused blog sites, but my favorite is Blueshirt Banter. The blogs are good and solid, but not overly spectacular. I like Blueshirt Banter because of the comments.

The commenters are witty, sometimes eliciting actual guffaws from me. The administrators make sure no one gets too nasty. Anyone who does, disappears like an informer at a mob wedding. Sometimes I need a laugh after a Rangers game, you know?

But what’s best is the “grammar police” who have no problem correcting, in the most jovial manner, whoever wrote the blog.

On what other sports blog can you find a 50+ comment side thread arguing for and against an Oxford comma? How many times have you seen a sports blogger raked over the coals for using “phased” when he meant “fazed”?

Just like any Rangers fan, I’m by necessity a pessimist with a deep, secret hope for success. I am trying to tame my copy editor and writing instructor fanaticism, so I have just been lurking and not commenting.

But observing the Blueshirt Banter commenters pushing for good grammar brings joy to my heart and a tear to my eye.